268DA and Weekenders

Just purchased (2 days ago) a 1986 268. No trailer so it is stuck up on Lake Erie until I can find a trailer and get it home. Sucks to have a new toy and I can't even work on it. My friend purchased the same model in July and were looking forward next season.

Just a quick queston. (First of many I am sure.) It came with a carry on air conditioner. Has anyone added aftermarket built in heat / air conditioning?
 
I will definitely join this crowd. We can definitely help each other out. My C-Nile is currently being winterized. I miss it already.
 
CT1 said:
Just purchased (2 days ago) a 1986 268. No trailer so it is stuck up on Lake Erie until I can find a trailer and get it home. Sucks to have a new toy and I can't even work on it. My friend purchased the same model in July and were looking forward next season.

Just a quick queston. (First of many I am sure.) It came with a carry on air conditioner. Has anyone added aftermarket built in heat / air conditioning?
Click to expand...

I priced out the heat/air conditioning unit from West Marine. Installed it looked to be in the $2500 range and it would fit in the storage area under the aft dinette seat. That is why my portable 5000btu $300 air conditioner looked so attractive for now....

Also, a small ceramic heater will roast you out of that boat on a cold day.
 
Getaway said:
I priced out the heat/air conditioning unit from West Marine. Installed it looked to be in the $2500 range and it would fit in the storage area under the aft dinette seat. That is why my portable 5000btu $300 air conditioner looked so attractive for now....

Also, a small ceramic heater will roast you out of that boat on a cold day.
Click to expand...

That does tend to make the free carry on look a little nicer... lol
 
I'm wondering how to tell if I have a problem with sagging stringers on my 268 or not. They look fine in the bilge, with no evidence of rot (although I haven't gone drilling yet) I put a long straight edge on the bottom of the hull from the transom - the port side is fair, the starboard side has about a 3/16" gap near the transom that disappears within 3'. I assume that is what's called a slight hook?

The boat was new to me 3 years ago, so I don't know the history. The reason I'm asking is that my front motor mounts are too low to align the engine using an alignment tool. There are 1/4" glassed shims under the front motor mounts that look like they could have been added if the mount structure was rebuilt or possibly to compensate if the stringers were settling? The outdrive had been going in without problem, so I had assumed the alignment was OK until I had a failure and bought a tool.

I lost the upper gear set over the Labor Day weekend in deep, heavy seas, and the engine coupler looked like it may have spun (some rubber shreds on outside diameter near steel housing). I checked the engine alignment after replacing the engine coupler, and found that it won't align until the front engine mounts are near the top (not enough threads left to lock it down). It was about a half inch lower when I pulled the engine (before I had an alignment tool). Could the misalignment have caused the gear failures? So, now I'm wondering if I have a structural problem to deal with, or if all I have to do is elevate the motor mounts? Is it normal to have to shim the motor mounts on an older boat (assuming no rot issues)?

Thanks,

Paul
 
So I already have a list of about 60 things I want to do on my new (to me) 268. Can't do them all at once and maybe some not at all. But I have this one little issue that is bothering me because I can see it all the time.

There is a small cut in the vinyl that wraps around the top of the controlpanel in the back just as it starts to fold back under the dash (towards the windshield).It is showing a little batting trying to come out. Wondering if someone knows of a way to repair this. Thought of putting on some blue tape but since it is in the sun I assume it will not be long before the tape starts to peal up and leave a sticky mess.
 
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Fishdancer said:
I'm wondering how to tell if I have a problem with sagging stringers on my 268 or not. They look fine in the bilge, with no evidence of rot (although I haven't gone drilling yet) I put a long straight edge on the bottom of the hull from the transom - the port side is fair, the starboard side has about a 3/16" gap near the transom that disappears within 3'. I assume that is what's called a slight hook?

The boat was new to me 3 years ago, so I don't know the history. The reason I'm asking is that my front motor mounts are too low to align the engine using an alignment tool. There are 1/4" glassed shims under the front motor mounts that look like they could have been added if the mount structure was rebuilt or possibly to compensate if the stringers were settling? The outdrive had been going in without problem, so I had assumed the alignment was OK until I had a failure and bought a tool.

I lost the upper gear set over the Labor Day weekend in deep, heavy seas, and the engine coupler looked like it may have spun (some rubber shreds on outside diameter near steel housing). I checked the engine alignment after replacing the engine coupler, and found that it won't align until the front engine mounts are near the top (not enough threads left to lock it down). It was about a half inch lower when I pulled the engine (before I had an alignment tool). Could the misalignment have caused the gear failures? So, now I'm wondering if I have a structural problem to deal with, or if all I have to do is elevate the motor mounts? Is it normal to have to shim the motor mounts on an older boat (assuming no rot issues)?

Thanks,

Paul
Click to expand...

Paul,
I've got good and bad news for you. The good news is you have a great boat that is worthy of repairs and upkeep. The bad news is your stringers and transom are most likely shot. Now is a great time to start tearing into it. I started mine exactly one year ago and finished on Valentines day. It's tough work, but well worth it in the end. You can double check by drilling into the stringers and seeing if the wood you pull out is dark and fine like wet sawdust. Push down on the side supports where your water tanks are mounted, they will probably feel spongy. Jam a screw driver into the transom area (inside near the transom bracket). It will probably go right in. These boats are notorious for these problems. Dealers did not seal thru hull fittings well back then and there were not good materials available to properly seal off swim platform mounts and such.

The rot on my boat went forward into the aft cabin. We tore the entire stringer and support system out from mid-ship back including the transom. The full rebuild was messy, but really looks nice now.

Here is the aft cabin after the rebuild:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f268/Getaway221v/100_1269.jpg

Here is the engine bay just before I started reassembling.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f268/Getaway221v/100_1437.jpg




 
Getaway, thanks for responding so quickly!

I'll have to get a picture in my avatar - we have the same red boat w/ a 454, also set up for GL fishing using the stock radar arch. Did yours come with a Bravo in 1988, or are you running an alpha 1?

I'm not seeing any visual signs of rot - no softness anywhere, no surface bubbling of the EC's glass/expoxy "overcoat". I just took a screwdriver and probed the transom cutout - the wood was solid as was everywhere else I checked with it. So, I can't tell if I'm just being paranoid, or whether I need to drill the stringers to be sure (due to the low front mounts). Everything looks original to my untrained eye, but I haven't seen another 268's original EC. Can I expect the mounts to settle on a 24 year old boat without rot, or is that just wishful thinking?

When I tore into my upper gearcase, I found that the upper vertical driveshaft had sheared off. That's a longer story that I'll save for when I know more.

Thanks,

Paul
 
My '88 has the Alpha1 drive like yours. I guess they went to the Bravo in '89. Kinda scary behind the 454, but so far, no issues. The previous owner had great luck with the motor/drive as well. I'm easy bringing her up on plane and backing her down.

I really don't think those stringers should settle. If the wood and glass is good, they should be solid.

Maybe you should find someone with a moisture meter and go over the stringers and transom. That will be the easiest thing to do. You really should not have to shim those motor mounts. As bad as mine was, the motor was still lined up with the outdrive. The dead giveaway was when we pulled the motor out, we did not have to loosen the lag bolts in the stringers, they pulled right out....:wow:
 
Thanks, Getaway!

I should have mentioned that I also checked the motor mount lag bolts and they snug down solidly. So, the stringers and mount are solid on top at least. I'll have to mess around with the alignment some more, making sure the gimbal bearing isn't throwing me off. I've tried making sure it is set by smacking the adjustment tool side to side and up/down. I found that near the lowest setting, I can get the bar in, but it is way too snug and only has spline marks on the bottom of the bar. It didn't loosen up until near the highest setting where the spline marks are even.

Paul
 
If the lag bolts snugged down good, you may be fine. Sounds like a few adjustments and you may be back in action.

I've never lined up an engine/outdrive assembly so I can't help you much there.

Good luck! Post some pics of your rig when you get some time.
 
268 Owners,

I was only able to use our 268 Dancer half of the short season this year due to port engine failure. I think it was the original engine with 900 hours on her. I pulled both engines to have them reman. Absolutely love this boat and the twin engines. The 4.3s are great out of the hole and can run 45mph @ WOT. Already excited about next year....

I plan on doing quite a bit of work before May 2012.

- Repower (Engines and Drives)
- Paint or Vinyl
- Replacement Hatches
- New Bimini Top
- Custom Swim Platform
- Recover Helm Seat

I might be calling on this group for some advice...

lv2bunderwater
 
Hi lv2bunderwater;

I was only able to use mine once. Purchased it in Septemeber but the cool rainy weather this year kept us in almost all month.

Here is a picture of my boat (foreground left. 86 Blue), my friends boat (foreground right. 86 Red) and our parts boat (87 Red) sticking out the back.

Some of our winter projects are:

Extend the swim platforms.
Install Radar arch from the parts boat onto the 86 Red. (After some repair work.)
Rebuild the backseat of the 86 Blue.
New bottom paint for both.
Remove old sensors from the bottom of the 86 Blue.
Wetsand the 86 Blue.
Fix various nicks and scatches on both after we learn how to work with the gelcoat.


3Boats3.jpg
 
Mine never went out this year, just couldnt get away , Hate not being able to take her out , may just have to part with her this summer.
 
Just Me,

To nice of a boat to leave in the storage garage or sell. Shuffle some priorities or something. You have too much time and money invested to let her go. Work/Life balance my friend!

lv2bunderwater
 
Life's too short. You have a great all around pleasure cruiser. Make time for boating my friend.


BoatinFrenzy-1.jpg
 
lv2bunderwater said:
Just Me,

To nice of a boat to leave in the storage garage or sell. Shuffle some priorities or something. You have too much time and money invested to let her go. Work/Life balance my friend!

lv2bunderwater
Click to expand...
....I know thats true , Its just that i'm taking care of a family member that cant be left alone . I was taking her out on the boat when i went out but now she cant get in the boat , it's only costing me indoor storage to own it,and a little insurance , so it can stay there untill i can use her again. I do miss my boat but i'm not putting anyone in a nursing home if i can help it.
 
just me said:
....I know thats true , Its just that i'm taking care of a family member that cant be left alone . I was taking her out on the boat when i went out but now she cant get in the boat , it's only costing me indoor storage to own it,and a little insurance , so it can stay there untill i can use her again. I do miss my boat but i'm not putting anyone in a nursing home if i can help it.
Click to expand...

Completely understand the situation. Those are tough days. My fishing buddy is going through that right now. His boat has been on the trailer for a couple years without being launched.

You're doing the right thing by taking care of your loved one.
 
Guess I should chime in. Finally got it into the gulf
 
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